Editorial: Liberation

• The war in Gaza is escalating, with buildings in ruins and residents displaced and in precarious conditions due to bombings and fighting.
• The Israeli army is conducting intensive bombings and ground fights to dismantle Hamas, which is hiding among the civilian population.
• Hamas seems well-prepared for urban warfare and easily attracts Palestinian youths to join its cause.
• The extent of the crisis in Gaza may stretch out for months or even a year, largely depending on the outcome of the US presidential elections.
• There are growing protests in Israel against the uncompromising stance of Benjamin Netanyahu, while settlers take advantage of the focus on Gaza to seize more land in the West Bank.
• Parliamentarian Ayman Odeh, a Palestinian-Israeli, is making efforts to convince all involved to put an end to the bloodshed.

Conclusion: The hope for a resolution to the crisis is slender yet persistent, and concerted effort is needed to quell the conflict and take steps towards peace and mutual understanding.

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